Making the Switch: How to Navigate Switching Majors

In college, there are many avenues and ways for you to explore different areas of interest, fields, and ideas. Sometimes the prospect of changing your major or area of study can be scary, but I am going to offer some tips that will make your decision much easier.

Research, Research, Research

Researching what you love and enjoy and translating it to a career or area of study is the first way to finding the area of study that is right for you. There are several resources such as the career center on campus, and advisors in each department that can help you find the resources you need.

Consulting Is Key

The idea of talking to an advisor or someone in an area of study that you are in can be a little daunting. But the advisors here at UIUC are well equipped to help you talk through a major change. You can also talk with students in different departments via social media in order to get an understanding of what a career or courses might look like in that major.

Taking Area Specific Courses

Simply taking a course in the department or area that you are interested in will give you a better idea of what you are getting into. There is a large array of intro courses that even count for degree requirements or gen ed requirements. Feel free to explore! Before I switched into Learning and Education from Political Science, I took an education course in order to get a better understanding of the major before I made the switch.

Coming To a Decision

When you finally come to a decision on when you want to make the switch, consider all of these tips and factors to guide your judgement. Remember that making this switch isn’t permanent, and that college allows you to have the fluidity to make changes all throughout your educational career.